State Files Complaint against Landfill for Violating Asbestos Regulations

Lisbon, OH – State officials have filed a 20-count lawsuit in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court against a salvage company that operates a potentially dangerous landfill.

The complaint regarding a foul-smelling dump outside of Lisbon was filed by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray’s office.

The lawsuit demands the court to force A & L Salvage to cover the 42-acre dump site with and additional 12 inches of cohesive earthen material. The plaintiffs also want Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) officials be allowed to access the site

Improper handling of asbestos is one of the main violations alleged against the company. According to locals, other violations in the landfill are acceptance of pulverized debris and solid waste, which is not allowed at a C&DD landfill, and creating a nuisance from the hydrogen sulfide, a chemical with the smell of rotten egg.

Asbestos can cause terminal diseases such as mesothelioma if the material is not properly handled. As asbestos fibers can stay dormant in human lung for decades, asbestos-related diseases typically develop 10-40 years after exposure. Once detected, mesothelioma kills most of its victims within 1 year.

The presence of hydrogen sulfide, and its nasty smell, has already caused stomach problems and headaches among locals.

OEPA Director Chris Korleski said action should be taken at the earliest.

“We can’t go ahead with this situation. Its time to take action, better late than never,” he said.

Korleski said the odors should to be prevented and the landfill has to be closed once and for all.

«


»